Stars & Their Hobbies ~ Ann-Margret

Ann-Margret, Motorcycles

"There are two types of motorcycle riders: ones who have had an accident and ones who will." - Ann-Margret 

Ann-Margret looks damn good on a motorcycle. A lifelong enthusiast, she was introduced to motorcycles by her Uncle Carl in her home country of Sweden. Once she got that first thrill for speed she was hooked. You can watch Ann-Margret's amazing motorcycle skills in Viva Las Vegas (1964) and The Swinger (1966).

Ann-Margret and Elvis Presley in Viva Las Vegas

During the 1960s, Ann-Margret would often be found riding a Triumph motorcycle and she even appeared in advertisements for the company. At one time she owned a custom Harley that was painted lavender with daisies on it.

Ann-Margret with her custom Harley (Photo Source)

In 2000, Ann-Margret got into a serious accident while riding in Minnesota as Grand Marshal for an NHRA event. She veered off into a sandy patch, hit a rock and was thrown from her motorcycle. She suffered a fractured shoulder and three broken ribs. However, that didn't stop her and Ann-Margret continues to be a badass on a motorcycle.

My series Stars & Their Hobbies explores how notable actors and actresses from Hollywood history spent their free time. Click here to view a complete list of entries.

Stars & Their Hobbies ~ Norman Lloyd

Norman Lloyd, Tennis - Photo Source

“You've got to stay active as you get older. And tennis is a great way to do that. It helps to take away all the aches and pains.” – Norman Lloyd 

Norman Lloyd turns 100 this November. The secret to his longevity: tennis!

I had the pleasure of seeing Lloyd at the 2013 TCM Classic Film Festival. Leonard Maltin introduced him and joked with the audience that Lloyd’s appearance was getting in the way of his daily tennis match. I was very intrigued by the fact that the then 98 year old Norman Lloyd played tennis daily! Recently he’s had to reduce his matches to twice a week but I truly believe that the tennis he’s been playing for decades is what has kept him sound in body and mind for such a long time.

Lloyd has played tennis against many film stars including Joseph Cotten and Spencer Tracy and he's also participated in celebrity tournaments. His most well-known partner was Charlie Chaplin. About their regular matches he said:

“I played tennis with Chaplin about four times a week. We played in the late afternoon, five o’clock in summer after the heat had lessened, earlier in winter. After the game, we stayed in the tennis house for a while to chat, and Charlie would often invite me to the house for a drink – scotch old-fashioned, his favorite.” (Source)

Lloyd plans a big tennis tournament for his 100th birthday.

Sources (1 and 2) 

Norman Lloyd on the court with Charlie Chaplin - Photo Source

My series Stars & Their Hobbies explores how notable actors and actresses from Hollywood history spent their free time. Click here to view a complete list of entries.

Stars & Their Hobbies ~ Eli Wallach

"Let me tell you a little about myself. As an actor I've played more bandits, thieves, killers, war lords, molesters and mafiose that you can shake a stick at... As a civilian I collect antique clocks, tell endless stories of my days as a medic in World War II, watch every tennis match, live for my family, daily mail, run the dishwasher, take pictures of faces in the bark of trees..." - Eli Wallach, 2010 Governors Awards Acceptance Speech

If Eli Wallach wasn't already the subject of my adoration now I have a new reason to fawn over him. He collected antique clocks! It's been said that the ticking of the clocks helped him think. When asked what he would do if he wasn't an actor, Wallach said, “I’d open a little clock shop somewhere... I collect little clocks. Don’t ask me why. My wife has no concept of time. I get to places twenty minutes before and she’s always late.” (Source)

Watch A.O. Scott's video of his visit with is uncle Eli Wallach in 2010 on the New York Times website. You can catch a glimpse in the background of a few antique clocks adorning Wallach's shelves in his Manhattan apartment. God speed Eli Wallach!

My series Stars & Their Hobbies explores how notable actors and actresses from Hollywood history spent their free time. Click here to view a complete list of entries.